Maytag Washing Machine: not draining, making noise

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Maytag washing machine not draining and making noise? This common issue often results in water remaining in the drum, accompanied by unusual sounds such as grinding, humming, or rattling, particularly during the drain and spin cycles. Let's explore the causes and solutions to restore your washer's functionality.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

Maytag official guidance notes that some gurgling or humming during normal drain can be expected, but loud abnormal noises or persistent failure to drain indicate issues with pump or hose.
Some Maytag washers use a coin trap/cleanout that often gets blocked; locating and cleaning this regularly can prevent drain issues.

Possible Causes

Clogged drain hose or pump filter/trap

How to Identify: Water remains in drum; visible debris (lint, coins, fabric in pump filter/trap; obstructed hose; noise from pump struggling to expel water.

Part: Drain hose / pump filter / coin trap

Faulty or blocked drain pump

How to Identify: Persistent water after cycle; humming or whirring sounds from bottom of washer during drain cycle; pump impeller not spinning freely when inspected.

Part: Drain pump and impeller

Defective lid/door switch

How to Identify: Machine won’t enter drain/spin cycle; continuity test fails on lid switch; sometimes accompanies drain failure without obvious clogs. (SmartHomeBit

Part: Lid switch assembly

Unbalanced load or installation issues

How to Identify: Loud banging, thumping or vibration during spin regardless of water level; noise severity changes with load size/placement.

Part: Machine setup and load distribution

Worn bearings or internal drivetrain components

How to Identify: Deep rumbling or grinding during spin; persistent loud noise not directly tied to water movement; progressively worse over time.

Part: Tub bearings / belt / pulley

DIY Solutions

Clear debris from drain pump filter/coin trap

Moderate 15–30 minutes

Tools Needed: screwdriver, towels/shallow pan

Unplug washer and place towels/pan under access panel.
Open front/bottom access panel to locate pump filter/coin trap.
Slowly unscrew filter/trap and remove any lint, coins, or debris.
Rinse filter, replace it securely, and reassemble access panel.
Run a short drain cycle to test.

⚠️ Safety First: Always unplug before accessing internal components.

Inspect and clear drain hose

Moderate 20–40 minutes

Tools Needed: flashlight, tubing brush/plumber’s snake

Unplug washer and pull it away from wall.
Disconnect drain hose from washer and standpipe.
Check hose for kinks, visible blockages with flashlight.
Use brush or snake to clear debris, flush with water.
Reconnect hose ensuring no sharp bends and re-test washer.

⚠️ Safety First: Be prepared for water spillage; use towels.

Balance load and adjust machine level

Easy 5–10 minutes

Tools Needed: level

Redistribute clothes evenly in drum for next cycle.
Check washer’s level with a level tool on top.
Adjust feet until machine sits firmly and level.
Run a test spin to see if noise decreases.

Next step

Choose the next step for not draining, making noise

Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.

Check during diagnosis

Most relevant component to inspect

Drain Hose

Carries waste water from the drain pump to your home's standpipe or sink drain.

Typical part-only price: $15 - $30
DIY difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 15-30 mins

Optional: enter your model number

Where can I find the model number?

Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.

Find a part that fits my model

Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.

Other parts options

Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.

Possible related component

Drain Pump

Pumps waste water out of the appliance during the drain cycle.

$35 - $80 · Easy · 15-30 mins

Check fit & price

Possible related component

Door or Lid Switch

Detects whether the appliance door or lid is safely closed before operation.

$15 - $55 · Medium · 20-45 mins

Check fit & price

Model number required

Model-compatible Washing Machine parts

Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.

Find a part that fits my model

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Optional routine care

Maintenance supplies

These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.

Maintenance supply

Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets

Routine tub-cleaning supplies for residue and odor control. They do not repair a mechanical, drainage, or electronic fault.

View maintenance supply

Maintenance supply

Braided Washer Inlet Hoses

A maintenance replacement option for visibly worn external fill hoses. Verify thread size, length, and hot/cold connection requirements.

View maintenance supply

Maintenance supply

Washer Drain Hose Holder

Helps secure an external drain hose at the standpipe. It does not correct an internal pump or control fault.

View maintenance supply

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump

Estimated Cost: $80–$180

Replace lid/door switch

Estimated Cost: $20–$60

Replace bearings/tub assembly

Estimated Cost: $200–$400+

When to Call a Professional

If water remains after clearing clogs and pump still noisy.

If continuity test shows lid switch failure and DIY replacement not feasible.

If deep grinding indicates possible bearing or drivetrain damage.

Preventive Maintenance

Clean drain pump filter/coin trap: Clogs that lead to no drainage and pump strain
Frequency: monthly
Check and clear drain hose: Hose blockages that prevent draining
Frequency: quarterly
Level machine and avoid overloads: Excess vibration and imbalance-related noise
Frequency: per use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Washing Machine not draining, making noise?

Common causes include a clogged drain hose, a faulty drain pump, or a defective lid switch.

How do I fix Maytag Washing Machine not draining, making noise myself?

Try clearing the drain pump filter, inspecting the drain hose, or balancing the load.

How much does it cost to fix not draining, making noise?

Professional repairs can range from $20 for a lid switch to $400+ for tub assembly replacement.

When should I call a technician for not draining, making noise?

If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue, or if you suspect major component failure, contact a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions

Common Issues Reported by Users

Clogged drain filter or hose
Faulty drain pump
Worn or damaged drive belt

User Suggested Solutions

Check and clean the drain filter and hose. Unplug the machine, locate the drain filter (usually at the front bottom), and remove it. Clean any debris and check the hose for clogs.
Inspect and replace the drain pump if necessary. Access the pump by removing the back panel, check for blockages, and replace the pump if it is faulty.
Examine the drive belt for wear or damage. If the belt is frayed or broken, replace it by removing the front panel and accessing the motor.

Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View Sources

Maytag Washing Machine: not draining, making noise

What is this symptom?

Important Tips for Maytag Models

Possible Causes

Clogged drain hose or pump filter/trap

Faulty or blocked drain pump

Defective lid/door switch

Unbalanced load or installation issues

Worn bearings or internal drivetrain components

DIY Solutions

Clear debris from drain pump filter/coin trap

Inspect and clear drain hose

Balance load and adjust machine level

Choose the next step for not draining, making noise

Drain Hose

Other parts options

Drain Pump

Door or Lid Switch

Model-compatible Washing Machine parts

Maintenance supplies

Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets

Braided Washer Inlet Hoses

Washer Drain Hose Holder

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump

Replace lid/door switch

Replace bearings/tub assembly

When to Call a Professional

Preventive Maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Common Issues Reported by Users

User Suggested Solutions

Check and clean the drain filter and hose. Unplug the machine, locate the drain filter (usually at the front bottom), and remove it. Clean any debris and check the hose for clogs.

Inspect and replace the drain pump if necessary. Access the pump by removing the back panel, check for blockages, and replace the pump if it is faulty.

Examine the drive belt for wear or damage. If the belt is frayed or broken, replace it by removing the front panel and accessing the motor.

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